Supervisor Stamper Calls for Overhaul of Fire and Police Commission

Milwaukee County Supervisor Russell W. Stamper II, District 5, is urging city of Milwaukee officials to develop and support a policy in which decision-makers of the Fire and Police Commission are elected and held accountable. Supervisor Stamper issued the following statement:

“Currently, the Fire and Police Commissioners are appointed by the Mayor. The members are not reflective of the Milwaukee community. They need to be elected and held accountable for their actions. The recent decision by the Fire and Police Commission to reinstate Officer Richard Schoen clearly indicates their incompetence, irresponsibility and lack of respect for human rights. Paio Lor, program coordinator and consultant for Hmong ABC Radio in Milwaukee, and Michael O’Hear, a professor and associate dean for research at Marquette University‘s law school, were the members of the committee who made this egregious decision. Richard Cox, executive director of Neighborhood House, was the only member who voted correctly. I am appalled at the video clearly showing an outrageously brutal attack by Officer Schoen and have no confidence in the Fire and Police Commission’s decision-making ability. In addition to their horrible decision to reinstate Officer Schoen, they also erroneously reinstated the following fired officers:

Daniel Culver was fired Jan. 25 for soliciting prostitutes and lying about it.

Jovan Petkovich was fired the same day for ‘inhumane’ treatment after he arrested a woman for resisting because she repeatedly said she needed to use the bathroom. She later soiled herself.

Eric Wurth was fired in May for associating with a woman known to be engaged in criminal behavior. At his appeal hearing, Wurth admitted giving the woman money and ‘spooning’ with her.

This pattern clearly indicates that we need new leadership on this crucial commission. A fair and just Fire and Police Commission is vital to the safety and protection of our community. Election of its membership is the only way to assure justice for Milwaukee citizens when it comes to the Commission’s oversight of police-community relations.”